Rui was aware of the existence of the underworld and the mafia, however, he did not know that they were such a significant force in the Kandrian Empire. In hindsight, he should have known given the fact that it was almost human nature.
He could see why the Martial Union disliked the Underworld. The Martial Union spent a lot of capital and resources on the sixteen Martial Academies that rigorously trained Martial Artists in hopes that each generation would join and empower the Martial Union. It must be a sore sight to see the Underworld reel in a minority of its investments for its own use.
The unfortunate fact of the matter was that one could probably make more wealth through the Underworld, although there was a huge slew of detriments to doing that.
Rui skimmed through the document listing all the third parties that the Martial Union wanted Rui to avoid servicing. The list was quite big, though Rui was sure that these third parties were not the only 'faces' that the Underworld had through which they could legitimately purchase esoteric substances. Still, if Rui barred any sale from Esosale Suppliers to these third parties, then he was sure the Underworld would suffer a blow to a certain extent.
That would instantly make him and Esosale Suppliers the enemy of the entirety of the Underworld of the Shionel Confederation. He was sharp enough to realize that the Martial Union was hoping for this, to a certain extent. Rui was cognizant enough to evaluate the Martial Union's offer from the context of their incentives and interests.
By having Rui agree to this agreement, they would forever cut away any possibility of Rui joining the Underworld, especially the so-called Martial Don. This would be a highly undesirable outcome for the Martial Union, and one they might fear.
The reason for this was that as much power wealth Rui could accumulate through legitimate means, he could probably gain even more if he joined the Underworld with the capabilities he currently possessed.
Rui scoffed inwardly, although from the high-minded and distant Martial Union's perspective, this may be a possibility to fear, to Rui at least, this was almost an impossibility. Rui disdained to inflict meaningless and needless suffering. He had the Orphanage to think about as well, he couldn't engage in such activities by virtue of them simply existing.
On top of that, having been born and brought up with many children, he hated people who inflicted suffering on children, and he knew firsthand that the Underworld was willing to sink to such depths. That alone was enough for him to never want to have any ties with them.
And that alone was enough for him to accept this offer even if it meant antagonizing the Underworld.
"Hm?" Rui's eyes narrowed as he read a familiar name that was especially highlighted on the list of Underworld associates.
DiViliers Manufacturers.
"This…"
He recalled this name. Charles DiViliers, the chairman and founder of the largest producers of Martial Art-related goods, as well as services surrounding those goods. His company engaged in an immense amount of research and development on Martial Art-related goods such as equipment, gear, utilities, training, and growth resources before selling them in large numbers.
His products were so effective that they were deemed of strategic value, and he was sanctioned from selling internationally in the interests of National security. Furthermore, both the Kandrian Military and the Martial Union valued his products so much that they signed extensive and lucrative contracts, turning him into the military contractor equivalent of the Kandrian Empire.
Rui had already known that this man likely had ties with the Underworld. The reason for this was that he recognized the golden-haired and-eyed man that had engaged in banditry as one of his subordinates.
"Ah, Charles DiViliers and Diviliers Manufacturers. They certainly are one of Esosale Suppliers' biggest clients," Commissioner Reze nodded.
Rui had not been aware of that. He simply let Guildmaster Bradt handle all the clientele in place of Rui. This was the agreement that the two of them had come to. Rui simply pumped in all the juice while Guildmaster Bradt handled everything else that came with running a company like Esosale Suppliers.
"I accept," Rui shut the document.
Although Martial Commissioner Reze did not let his perfunctory smile so much as twitch, Rui could feel with Primordial Instinct that the man had been surprised that Rui had accepted so easily. He could tell that the Martial Commissioner had been prepared to engage in some persuasion about how bad the Underworld was, and how it was a threat to Rui's interests as well as that of the Martial Union.
However, Rui was smart enough to have figured out all of that, and more, in an instant.
"Wonderful," Martial Commissioner Reze smiled. "The Martial Union will surely reward you for your seamless cooperation. Now then, let us flesh out all of the details and sign the contract at another time. Today I merely wished to confirm your intent to cooperate with this deal. I will contact you in a similar manner very soon and we'll meet up discreetly to finalize everything."
"Sure," Rui replied simply.
"Well then, I bid the both of you a good day," The man smiled as the door opened.
Rui and Kane bade him goodbye before heading back to their inn rooms.
"I thought the Martial Union would be more heavy-handed, to be honest," Kane remarked nonchalantly.
"They probably would have engaged in more subtle intimidation if it were any other Martial Squire," Rui was relatively certain that they would have employed some convincing bluffs had it been any other Martial Squire in so far as subtly exaggerating the gravity and the consequences of what the two of them had accomplished.
But Rui would not have fallen for such tricks, and he knew that they knew that. They had to go for a more transparent approach when it came to handling him, and so they did. Rui looked forward to signing the contract so that he feels more at ease, if not for anything else.
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